Product vending machine



' E. J. NEWCOMER 23,103

PRODUCT VENDING MACHINE April 26, 1949.

5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Original Filed June 19, 1946 INVENTOR. J. NEwcoMER,

ATTORNEY.

April 26, 1949. E. J. NEWCOMER PRODU'S'I VENDING MACHINE 5 Sheets-Sheet2 Original F -ecl June 19, 1946 EVERETT J. NEWGOMER ATTCI R N IYI E. J.NEWCOMER PRODUCT VENDING MACHINE April 26, 1949.

SSheets-Sheet :5

Original Filed June 19, 1946 INVENTOR; EVERETT u. NEwcoMER';

ATTDRNIYU April 26, 1949. E. J. NEWCOMER PRODUCT VENDING MACHINE 5'Sheets-Sheet 4 my me mm m E N T E R E V E Original Filed June 19, 1946ATTORNEYS April 26, 1949. E. J. NEWCOMER PRODUCT VENDING MACHINE 5Sheets-Sheet 5 Original Filed June 19, 1946 INVENTOR. EVERETT J.NEWGOMER,

M yrwyaa.

Reissued Apr. 26, 1949 23,103 PEQDUCT VENDING MACHINE Everett .1.Newcomer, Kew Gardens, N. Y., assignor to City Vending Equipment Corp,Maspeth, Long Island, N. Y., a corporation of New York Original No.2,436,223, dated February 17, 1948, Serial No. 677,891, June 19, 1946.Application for reissue January 29, 1949, Serial No. 73,541

16 Claims. 1

My present invention relates to improvements in vending machines of thecoin operated and electrically controlled type, and designed fordispensing or vending packaged commodities, such as milk, as oneexample, which is hereinafter referred to as a product being dispensedin a container.

The primary object of the present invention is the provision of acompactly arranged coincontrolled vending mechanism that is simple inconstruction and operation, and reliable for controlling the feeding,delivery, and discharge of a container to a customer.

In carrying out my invention a horizontally travelling storage andfeeding conveyer is combined with a delivery and discharge conveyermoving in a direction at right angles to the direction of travel of thefeeding conveyer, and the vended container is discharged by gravity toposition readily accessible by the purchaser.

The invention consists in certain novel combinations and arrangements ofthese parts as will hereinafter be more fully described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings I have illustrated one complete example ofthe physical embodiment of my invention wherein the parts are combinedand arranged in accordance with one mode I have thus far devised for thepractical application of the principles of my invention. It will beunderstood that changes and alterations may be made in these mechanicaland electrical structures exemplified in the drawings without departingfrom the principles of the invention.

Figure 1 is a vertical front View showing the mechanical parts of a unitof the vending machine in which my invention is embodied, together withportions of the lateral walls of a cabinet in section, and alsoindicating portions of two other adjacent unit-s of the cabinet.

Figure 2 is a plan view of the machinein Fig. 1.

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional View on the line .'t-3 of Figure 2showing the delivery conveyer and discharge chute, and accessories.

Figure is a vertical sectional View at line tll of Fig. 2 showing thefeeding conveyer in longitudinal section and the delivery conveyer intransverse section. v

Figure 5 is a transverse vertical sectional View at line 5--5 of Fig. lshowing the storage and feeding conveyer and one of its rollers.

Figure 6 is a detail sectional view at line fi-fi of Fig. 2 showing thedelivery conveyer, one of its rollers, and journal bearings therefor.

Figure '7 is an electrical diagram of the wiring and appliances for theoperation and control of one unit of the vending machine; and

Figure 8 is an electrical diagram of the wiring for multiple units whenemployed in the vending machine.

In the drawings, the operating parts of "the vending machine areenclosed within a cabinet l of suitable siZe and shape, which may befash-.

ioned with a double wall construction, and insulated for refrigeratingpurposes when perishable goods are to be vended. Multiple vending unitsmay be enclosed within the same cabinet, but at different levels, forvending either the same product, or different products, prepared inpackages or containers. For purposes of illustration and description,one such unit is herein disclosed,

and the product to be vended is referred to'as milk contained in abottle or other container. It is to be understood that the presentinvention is directed to a machine capable of handling packagescontaining materials other than food, and that the invention is to belimited only by the claims appended hereto.

The interior operating units at each level within the cabinet aresupported upon a rectangular, horizontally disposed main frame 2 that issupported in suitable brackets 3 from the walls of the cabinet.

For storing and feeding the containers they are first deposited inalined rows disposed transverse-- ly across the upper or conveyer flightof an endless feed belt 4 of rubber, or other suitable flexiblematerial, which belt is mounted to travel over a drive roller 5 and aspaced driven roller-6, both of which are journaled in bearings 2|supported in suitable manner from the main frame 2.

The conveyer flight of the belt upon which the containers are arrangedin right angle rows is intermittently moved to the left'in Fig; 4, andguided over a fixed horizontal supporting plate I mounted upon a fram 8in suitable manner to insure a level and substantial support for thecontainers.

Power for driving the roller 5 is furnished 1) an electric motor 9 whichis supported upon a bracket that depends rigidly from the main frame 2,and power is transmitted to the. drive parallel with the front edge ofthe conveyer flight, to confine the load or supply of containers on andto prevent their displacement from the conveyer flight of the feed belt4.

The feed belt with its load of containers. is intermittently mo ed. ormechanically operated under automatically operating electrical controlmeans for the motor 9, a will be described.

From the feed belt the containers are fed in successive quantities orrows to a delivery ibelt I1 of a type similar to the feed belt, and theconveyer flight of the delivery belt is also intermittently moved, in adirection at right angles to the movement of the feed belt, and in thesame plane therewith, see Figure 4, .so that the conveyer flight of thedelivery belt may deliver a single container from the front end of :asingle row being conveyed by the delivery belt.

This comparatively narrow single row delivery belt I! with its conveyorflight supported on and sliding ov'er a dixed' pl'ate 8 running part ofthe main frame 8, is mounted upon a drive roller -|'9 and acriven roller"29, both of which are j'ou-rnaled in ball bearings 2 supported uponparts of the main frame 2. Power is supplied to the shaft "22 cf thenave roll'e'r l9 "through a chain di ive in'cludin'g a dr ivihg sprocketwheel 23, chain 24, and sprocket '25 operatively connected with thedrive shaft 25 cf an electric motor 21, and the fmoltor is supported ina bracket frame depending from the main frame of the unit.

The delivery 'b'elt I is of a width to accommodate a single row ofcontainers, and a lateral upstanding guide plate 28 supported from themain frame, maintain's'the IOWOf containers in aline'merit from fro'ntto rear ends of thedelivery belt.

As "best seen in Figs. '1 and 4, the upper con- Veyer "flight CT thefeed belt is very slightly 'elevated above the 'ac'l j'oini'n g edge "ofthe delivery belt, 22nd between the two belts is interposed anintermediate stationary rest plate or transfer plate 29 arrangedparallel to and withits conveyiir surface flush with the conveye'rflight of the i eed belt.

u rassrer plate --2'9 is of such "dimension as to e'ifte hd the '-i'ull"width of the feed belt and the full length of the delivery belt. It isrigidly metered on the main name of the inachine, and it's "n 'er-rt andterminates adjacent an angular guide wan 30 disposed at the left end ofthe lateral guide M5 for the ieed belt, see Figure 2.

The delivery belt I"! is also intermittently opcrates under Ihechani-srhthat is automatically actuated to activate electrical controls for thepower supsiyin motor 21. to s'hi'ft belt H and feed the front containerfrom its single row of containers ithereon over and against :avertically disposed, semicircular baflile wall "3|. or deliverycl'r'lit'e, that is mounted "on the main "frame at the neat interiorportion of the cabinet, or enclosure The delivery chute is mounted inthe path of the rcrwarciy moving row of containers, and it is adapted toreceive a single container, and 'perniit the 'c'o'ntain'er to drop bygravity into a discharge receptac'le "3 2,of elbowshape, and havingastopfli for the container at the 'mouth thereof.

The discharge receptacle is mounted in the front wall ofth'eca-binetjand it isprovidedwith been front permittin ready access orthe purchaserto the "container which-comes 'to rest againsvtne stop 33.

For convenience in adjustment, the chute 3'1 is iiiciint'ed by brackets34 and "slot connections,

in order that it may correctly be located in proper position to receivethe particularly sized single container that is deposited therein fromthe delivery belt.

To prevent the machine from being operated when both .the teedanddelivery belts are empty of packages, an empty 'fe'ed switch 35,Which is mounted upon a suitable support at one side of the belt, ismechanically operated by movement of a leverarm 36 extendingtransversely over the feed -b'elt. This lever arm is pivoted at 31 withits "innerpi'vot end 38 in position to contact with a complementaryspring blade 39 forming the stationary contact of the switch, and a coilspring 40 tends to retract the lever in the absence of contact with thecontainers.

The operation of the motor 9, and the consequent movement ofthe feedbelt 4 is automatically controlled by switch 4| mounted at the rear endof the delivery belt l1.

The delivery empty switch 42 is mounted 'below the switch M and isoperated simultaneously with switch 41 These switchesareinitiallycontrolled by means of a replacement bar or .yoke

43, which extends longitudinally of the delivery belt I! and over thecenter of the delivery belt, and with its inturned ends pivoted at 44,upon the main frame and at one side of the delivery belt.

The pivoted yoke 43 .is held in uplifted position by contact with thesides of the containers in the delivery :row on the belt, and in thisposition, the operating switch 4| opens the motor ioperating circuit.

In the absence of containers on .the delivery belt, the unsupportedyokeswings down upon its pivots as a center, thereby operating a switchlever 45 which has vaisliciing pin and slot .connection-46 with the rearend of theyoke.

The horizontally disposed switch lever 45 is pivoted at 41 on an uprightsupporting bracket 48, and the lever is equipped withan upright -.orangular operating arm 49 which co-acts with the two :movable contacts 50and '.5.'|., respectively, --of theswitches 4| and 42.

A delivery-cut-ofi switch 52, which is normally closed, .is mounted atthe lowerend of the discharge chute for controlling the delivery circuitin'connection with the motor 21.

This cut-off switch is activated by a vended container asit passes .downthrough the discharge chute 3|., andfor this .purposea'depressibleoperatingarm 53 is located within the chute projecting inwardlythereinto and in the path of the discharged container. The arm is fixedto a rocker-shaft .54 .journalled in .a bracket 55, and a spring 56resiliently holds the depressible arm in the path of the dischargingcontainer. One end of the rocker-shaft terminatesin an angular movablecontact arm .51 that normally swings down into frictional engagementwith a stationary cczmtact blade 58 for closing the cut-off switch 5 Inloading the containers in the cabinet, they are initially alined .on thedelivery belt lengthwise thereof with the replacementyoke 43 in upliftedposition, with the delivery-empty switch 42 and the feeding switch 4|open, and the respective motors 21 and 9 idle.

Lever arm 35 is turned ninety degrees counterclockwise from the positionin Figure 2 and .containers are then stored in rows upon andtransversely across the conveyor flight of the feed belt 4, in positionretaining the spring pressed lever armparallel "withthe direction oftravel of the feed belt, and the storage-empty switch 35 is in opencircuit.

When a coin is inserted in the coin actuated mechanism (not shown),electrical connections are thereby closed through relay 65 to energizethe delivery motor 21, causing movement of the delivery belt ll with itsrow of containers to Ward the front baffle and chute 3!. As the first orleading container is delivered by the delivery belt, it drops therefromby gravity into chute 3| and bears against the discharge baiiie 3i, andthence is deposited in the receptacle 32.

By contacting the out ofi arm lit, the container opens the cut-ofiswitch 52, thereby cutting out all electrical current otherwise flowingto the machine, and placing the machine in condition for the insertionof another coin and a, succeeding vending operation, which operationsare repeated as long as any containers remain upon the delivery belt.

As the last container on the delivery belt is vended, the unsupportedreplacement yoke swings downwardly and causes closing movement of thefeed switch 4| for operating the motor ll, whereupon the conveyor flightof the feeding belt is moved toward the delivery belt, thus forcing arow of containers from the feed belt to the transfer plate 29 and thenceto the delivery belt. In this movement the front row of containerspresses against the replacement yoke, forcing it into an upwardposition, thereby breaking the circuits to both the feed switch 4! andthe delivery empty switch 42.

The last row of containers on the feed belt may be transferred to thedelivery belt by means of a weight 59 movably supported by an inclinedramp 59' secured to the cabinet 5, and adapted to extend transverselyacross the rear end of the feed belt, and having a forwardly projectingextension till equaling the width of the transfer plate cor-- tactingthe last row of containers. As the last row of containers. travelsforwardly with the storage feed belt, the weight 59, by gravity, movesinto position on the feed belt, and will remain. in engagement with thelast row on the feed belt, to force the last row of containers over therest plate 29 onto the delivery belt.

When the last row of containers has been forced from the feed belt tothe delivery belt, thus releasing the empty-arm 35, torsion spring 48swings the arm back into position of Figure 2, thus closing itsoperating circuit.

When the last container is discharged from the delivery chute from thedelivery belt, the re-- placement yoke 13 swings down thereby closingthe switch 52 as previously described.

In the electrical diagram storage empty switch 35 and delivery emptyswitch 42 are closed in series when the machine is empty of containers,and both of these switches are connected to a relay SI for itsactivation, and the opening and closing of the switch 42 is controlledby the movement of the replacement bar or yoke 43.

Referring to the electrical diagram of Figure '7, upon the insertion ofa coin into the coin operated mechanism, electrical contact is made at62 in series with one of the main electric lines, and with the mainoperating relay 53, thus closing the operating circuit and energizingthe delivery motor 2'! to initiate a vending operation. Under theseconditions, a coin blocking magnet 64 is ole-energized to permitautomatic closing of a barrier or finger (not shown) that closes theentrance to the coin chute.

During delivery and discharge of the vended container, the deliverycut-off switch 52 breaks the circuit of the main operating relay 63,delivery motor 21 is de-energized, and the coin blocking magnet isautomatically re-energized by this action, and coin barrier or finger isretracted from the coin chute, thus resetting the coin operatedmechanism for another vending operation.

An empty condition of the machine is indicated to a customer by means ofan electric lamp 64A, which is visible when illumined, and including ina lighting circuit under control of the emptyrelay 5! at which time allcurrent ceases to flow within the machine, except current in theelectromagnetic empty relay coil and the light circuit.

The above described mechanical and electrical features apply to a singleunit of the vending machine; when multiple units are employed in thesame vending machine and operated singly, a change-over electricalequipment is utilized, to successively control the operations of themultiple units, as well as for simultaneously controlling two operatingunits.

This change-over equipment is under control of manually operatedswitches Kit, 839, it, El and '52 and a three prong polarized plug andsocket connection at B5 and 55' in Figure 8 which connects wi h mainline and empty relay terminals on the terminal boards 66 and El of theupper and lower level units.

The automatic cl1ange-over circuits would be used in machines containingmore than one vending mechanism. Assuming two vending mechanisms in onecabinet or housing, one above the other, the purpose of automaticchangeover circuit would be--in one circumstance-to place one vendingmechanism in operative con dition while de-energizing the other. Inanother circumstance, the one vending mechanism would be de-energizcdwhile the other would. be in operative condition. In a th.-dcircumstance, the automatic change-over circuit would be used when bothvending mechanisms were desired to be operated simultaneously andindependently of each other.

Using the electrical circuit of Figure 'l for the top vending mechanism,and an identical circuit for the bottom vending mechanism, theinterconnection with the automatic change-over cir cuit, Figure 8 wouldbe as follows: Reading from left to right, the third terminal of theupper terminal board 8t would be connected to the plug and socketconnection 55 at "it, Figure 8. The same terminal of the bottom vendingmechanism would be connected to the plug and socks '51 at US. The thirdterminal of terminal strip 67, Figure 7, would. be connected at Figure8, and the identical terminal of bottom vending unit would be connectedat an, Figure 8. The fifth terminal from the left of the lower terminalstrip, :igure 7, of the u; er vending mechanism would be connected at55, Figure 8, and the same terminal of the lower vending mechanism wouldbe connected to plug and socket ll similarly.

Assuming that it be desired to operate the top ven unit with the bottomvending unit inoperative, switch would be open, switch it] closed.switch ll open, switch closed and switch E8 closed. Referring to Figure8, one main line ill would be connected through fuse "M, closed switchit, term al ii-l, and the third terminal of the top terminal strip,Figure 7. The other side of line "ill would be connected through closedswitch 6-8, terminal 15 and the third ter- -minal of the bottom terminalstrip of Figure 7.

7,, The-upper vendingmechanismthen would be energizedand in av conditionto operate. The lower vending mechanism would have one leg tomain powerline- 13 of Figure 8 connected through closedswitch 68, terminal 65 andthe third terminal of the bottom terminal board of the lower vendingunit. The other side of power line "13 of Figure 8 would have noconnection to the lower vending circuit by reason of switch H beingopen. This condition would obtain until such time as the entire uppervending mechanism became empty; at this time switches 35 and 42, Figure7, having been closed by the upper vending mechanism becoming empty, thefifth terminal of Figure 7 of the lower terminal board is: now energizedand being connected through terminal 65, Figure 8, and closed switch l2,Figure 8, and terminal '36, Figure 8, and further connected to the thirdterminal of the upper terminal board of the lower vending mechanism.This then energizes the lower vending mechanism circuit so that it isnow in a condition to operate.

When it is desired to operate the lower vending mechanism first and thenallow the top vending mechanism to operate after the lower vendingmechanism becomes empty, switch 6i would be closed, switch Ill open,switch ll closed, switch l2 open, and switch 68 closed. This would thenenergize the lower vending mechanism with the upper vending mechanismhaving one line connection made through switch 68, terminal 15, Figure8, which is connected to the third terminal of the lower terminal stripof the top vending unit. The other side of the line to the top vendingunit is not energized due to switch It being open. The bottom vendingunit then would operate until it became empty; at which time switches 35and 4.2, Figure 7, lower vending unit would be closed, therebyenergizing the top vending unit through the fifth terminal of the lowerterminal strip, and terminal ll, Figure 8, through closed switch 6t, andterminal it, Figure 8,. which is connected to the third terminal of thetop terminal board, Figure 7, of the upper vending mechanism.

Now, where it is desired that both top and bottom vending mechanismoperate simultaneously and independently of each other, switch 69 wouldbe open, switch ll] closed, switch ll closed, switch 12 open, and switch98 closed. This would supply electrical current to the top vending unitthrough one side of the main power line iii and fuse it, Figure 8, thenthrough closed switch l0, terminal 18, and the third terminal of the topterminal board, Figure 7, of the top vending unit. The other side of themain line 13, to the top vending unit would be through closed switch 38, terminal 15, Figure 8, and the third terminal of the lower terminalstrip, Figure 7, top vending unit. Top vending unit is now energized foroperation. Bottom vending unit would be energized through one-side ofmain line [3, closed switch 68, terminal S and the third terminal of thelower terminal board, Figure 7, of the lower vending unit. The otherside of the line to the lower vending unit would be connected throughfuse M, closed switch H, terminal 16, Figure 8, and the third terminalnumber of the top terminal strip, Figure 7, of the lower vendingmechanism. The lower vending mechanism is now energized for operationand both vending mechanisms will operate independently andsimultaneously.

It will be noted that the main electric lines 13 .enter the operatingcircuits through a fuse l4, and the main manually operated switch 68,

the latter being provided to break the main.

electric line to the machine when necessary, as,

for repairs.

As previously indicated, various changes maybe made in the mechanicalstructures and ope erating devices, as well as in the electricalarrangements herein disclosed, within the scope of my appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a vending machine as described, the com-- bination with a storagefeed belt and its containers, a delivery belt and its containers, amotor,

for driving the storage feed belt, and an operating circuit for themotor including a control,

switch, of a pivotally mounted replacement yoke: co-acting with thecontainers on the delivery belt for opening the control switch, andauto-- matic means operative in the absence of contact, of thecontainers from said yoke for closing the control switch.

2. In a vending machine asv described, the combination with astorage-feed endless belt anda.

delivery belt and its containers, a supporting plate for the conveyorflight of the storage feed belt, a drive roller and a driven roller forsaid, belt, of an electric motor and a sprocket-chain drive between themotor and the drive roller, an,

operating circuit for the motor and a.con.tr.olv

switch therein, a pivotally mounted yoke co-acte, ing with containers onthe delivery belt for renidering inoperative the motor, andautomaticmeans coacting with the yoke for rendering the;

motor operative in the absence of contact of the containers with theyoke,

3. In an article dispensingv device comprising.

in combination a cabinet, a main frame supported therein, a storage andfeeding conveyor rotatably supported by said main frame and adapted tocontain a plurality of aligned rows of articles, a first power means fordriving said storage and feeding conveyor, a delivery conveyorrotatably.

supported by said main frame adjacent said storage and feeding conveyorfor movement at-right.

angles thereto, a second power means for'driving said delivery conveyor,atransferplateattached. to said main frame and extending between said.conveyors, yoke means extending longitudinally.

and parallely above said delivery conveyor, a first switch means forcontrolling the energization of, said first power means, a switch meansconnected.

to said yoke means and said first switch means whereby the absence of anarticle on said delivery conveyor will free said yoke for downwardmovement to actuate said first switch means thereby energizing saidfirst power means for. advancing said storage and feeding conveyorwhereby movement of said storageand feeding conveyor will depositintermittently and succesby gravity from the chamber and a. switch meansin said chute and connected to said second power means, said switchmeans extending into the path,

of the discharged article for actuation; therebyto interrupt actuationof said. secondv power, means whereby said delivery conveyor willdispense said row of articles singly.

4. In a coin actuated package vending, machine, the combination of ahorizontallytravelling storage feed belt and a plurality of rows o-fapackages thereon transversely aligned there.

across, a horizontally travelling delivery belt having its conveyorflight travelling in substantially the same horizontal plane as the feedbelt and at right angles thereto, and a package delivery chute, the feedbelt operating to deposit a row of packages on the delivery belt, andthe delivery belt operating to deposit a single package at time in thedelivery chute.

5. In a coin actuated package vending machine, the combination of ahorizontally travelling storage iced belt and a plurality of rows ofpackages thereon. transversely aligned thereacross, a horizontallytravelling delivery belt having its conveyor flight travelling insubstantially the same horizontal plane as the feed belt and at rightangles thereto, and a package delivery chute, the feed belt operatingintermittently to deposit a row of packages on the delivery belt, andthe delivery belt operating intermittently to deposit a single packageat a time in the delivery chute.

6. In a coin actuated mechanically operated and electrically controlledpackage vending machine, the combination of a horizontally travellingstorage feed belt and a plurality of rows of packages thereontransversely aligned thereacross, a horizontally travelling deliverybelt having its conveyor flight travelling in substantially the samehorizontal plane as the feed belt and at right angles thereto, and apackage delivery chute, motor means for operating the storage feed belt.control means for said motor and a circuit therefor, motor means foroperating the delivery belt, control means for said. motor and a circuittherefor, the feed belt operating intermittently on closing of its motorcircuit to deposit a row of packages on the delivery belt, the deliverybelt operating intermittently on closing of its motor circuit to deposita single package at a time in the delivery chute, operation of thecontrol means and the closing of either circuit automatically openingthe other circuit.

7. In a mechanically operated and electrically controlled coin actuatedpackage vending machine, the combination including a horizontallytravelling storage feed belt, motor means for operating the same andelectric control means for the motor, a horizontally travelling deliverybelt having its conveyor flight travelling in substan tially the samehorizontal plane as the storage feed belt but at right angles thereto,the storage feed belt operating intermittently to deposit packages onthe delivery belt, motor means for operating the package delivery belt,and coin responsive automatically actuated means for controlling theoperation of the delivery belt motor.

8. In a mechanically operated and electrically controlled coin actuatedpackage vending machine, the combination of a horizontally travellingstorage feed belt and packages thereon, a package delivery belttravelling at right angles to the storage feed belt and packagesthereon, a package supporting transfer plate between the storage anddelivery belts, and in substantially the same plane therewith, adischarge chute adapted to receive a package from the delivery belt, amotor for op-- erating the feed belt, and a motor for operating thedelivery belt, electrical control means for the motors and circuitstherefor, and means in the discharge chute actuatable by passage of apackage through the discharge chute for opening the circuits of saidelectrical control means and rendering both motors inactive.

9. In a mechanically operated and electrically controlled coin actuatedpackage vending machine, the combination of a horizontally travellingstorage feed belt and rows of packages thereon extending transverselythereacross, a delivery belt travelling at right angles to the storagefeed belt and in the same plane therewith and a column of Packages onthe delivery belt extending lengthwise thereof, operating means for eachof said belts, control means operable with packages on said belts foractuating the operating means for the delivery and storage feed belts,said control means de-energizing the operating means for said belts inthe absence of packages thereon.

10. A vending machine as in claim 9, in which the control means for thedelivery belt extend lengthwise thereof.

11. A vending machine as in claim 9, in which the control means for thedelivery belt extend lengthwise thereof and are movable towards and awayfrom the delivery belt.

12. A vending machine as in claim 9, in which the control means for thedelivery belt extend lengthwise thereof, and the control means for thestorage feed belt normally extend transversely across the direction oftravel of the feed belt and are movable out of the path of the belt inthe absence of packages on the feed belt.

13. In a mechanically operated and electrically controlled coin actuatedpackage vending machine, the combination including a horizontallytravelling storage feed belt, a delivery belt moving at right angles tothe feed belt and in substantially the same plane therewith, anelectrically controlled motor for the storage feed belt and anelectrically controlled motor for the delivery belt, replacement controlmeans operative in the absence of packages on the delivery belt forenergizing the storage feed belt motor, and adapted to tie-energize thestorage feed belt motor in the presence of containers on the deliverbelt.

14. In a package vending machine, a storage feed belt and a plurality ofpackages thereon, a delivery belt and a, plurality of packages thereon,a motor for driving the storage feed belt, an operating circuit for saidmotor including a control switch, a replacement yoke co-acting with thepackages on the delivery belt for opening the control switch tode-activate the storage belt motor, and means associated with thedelivery belt automatically operable in the absence of contact with thecontainers by said yoke for closing the control switch to energize theoperating circuit of the feed belt.

15. In a package vending machine as described, the combination of a.storage feed belt and packages thereon, and a delivery belt and itspackages, a drive roller and a driven roller for said storage feed belt,an electric motor and a positive driving connection between the motorand the drive roller, an operating circuit for the motor and a controlswitch therein, a yoke co-acting with packages on the delivery belt forrendering the storage belt motor inoperative, and automatically operablemeans associated with the delivery belt co-acting with the yoke forrendering the storage belt motor operative in the absence of contact ofthe packages on the delivery belt with the yoke.

16. A package vending machine as in claim 15, having associatedtherewith means responsive to the presence of the packages on thestorage feed belt to transfer the last of the packages on said storagebelt to the delivery belt.

EVERETT J. NEWCOMER.

No references cited.

